Adapter for dental implants

ABSTRACT

A casing which is of a size and shape to encase an undersized dental implant for the purpose of adapting the undersized dental implant to fit an enlarged opening in a jaw bone.

Umted States Patent [151 3,683,50 1 Edelman Aug. 15, 1972 [s41 ADAPTERFOR DENTAL IMPLANTS [56] References Cited [72] inventor: Alfred E.Edelman, 2723 Federal UNITED STATES PATENTS Sc, C d

am 08105 2,721,387 10/1955 Ashuckian ..32/10 A [22] Filed: Feb. 12, 1971Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock [21] AppL- Attorney-Munson H. Lane andMunson H. Lane, Jr.

[52] U.S. Cl. ..32/l0 A [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl ..A6lc 13/00 A casingwhich is of a size and shape to encase an [58] Field of Search ..32/l0 Adersized dental implant for the purpose of adapting the undersizeddental implant to fit an enlarged opening in a jaw bone.

20 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 15, 1972 3,683,501

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/6.3. F/G.4

' l9 FIG 20 FIG. 6.

j INVENTOR ALFRED E. EDELMAN ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 15, 1972 1 3,683,501

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ALFRED E. EDELMAN BY .kwmw

ATTORNEY ADAPTER FOR DENTAL IMPLANTS The invention relates to an adapterfor encasing a selected size dental implant for the purpose of fillingan opening in the jaw bone which is larger than the selected dentalimplant.

Wide blade dental implants have been previously disclosed in the pendingU.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 804,738 filed Feb. 24, 1969 in the namesof Leonard I. Linkow and Alfred E. Edelman. While this invention may beused in combination with the wide blade dental implants disclosed in theaforesaid pending patent application, the adapter of this invention-maybe made of a size and shape to fit other types of dental implants.

It is an object of this invention to provide an adapter to encase adental implant which is undersized with respect to an opening in the jawbone, so that the encased implant will tightly fill the opening.

It is. another object of this invention to provide an adapter which issimple in construction, economical to manufacture and can be formed froma thin blank of sheet material to the desired shape for encasing thewide blade implants. The adapter may be made from non-corrosivematerials, such as stainless steel or synthetic resinous materials.

These and other objects, advantages and novel features will be apparentfrom the following description and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken through a human jawbone showing a wide vent blade of an appropriate size to fill an openingin the jaw bone;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a wide vent blade superimposedabove one form of the adapter of this invention and about to be insertedtherein;

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view through a human jaw boneshowing a wide vent blade and adapter filling the opening in the jawbone;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view showing a pre-cut blank from which theinvention is formed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another form of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged left end view of the adapter shown at the bottomof FIG. 2 but in closed position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view in enlarged scale of a modified dentalimplant adapted to be encased within a slightly modified form of theinvention;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the dentalimplant shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a modified casing adapted toencase the dental implant shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a left hand end view of the casing shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a blank from which the casing shown inFIGS. 9 and 10 is made.

Referring to FIG. 1 a human jaw 10 is shown in vertical cross sectionhaving a wide blade dental implant ll implanted in the jaw bone in anormal manner. The implant 11 as seen in FIG. 2 includes a wide, wedgeshaped blade portion 12 and a head portion 13 integrally connected tothe blade portion 12 by a narrow neck 14. The blade portion 12 isnormally implanted in the jaw with the neck and head portion protrudingfrom the bone. Openings 15 are provided in the blade portion 12 for thepurpose of allowing bone material to grow through the openings so as tointerlock with the blade portion 12. The openings 13 are sometimesreferred to as vents hence the terms vent blades or wide tured arelimited to certain standard thicknesses so that a dentist does not haveavailable to him a wide selection of implants of different thicknesses.It sometimes happens that the opening in the jaw bone becomes enlargedso that the bone will not tightly hold a wide blade implant of astandard thickness. Should such a condition occur it would be necessaryto remove the implant and replace it with an implant of a larger size ifthe larger size implant were available. However since the larger sizewide blade implants may not be available, it is the purpose of thisinvention to provide an adapter 16 as shown in FIG. 2 which will encasethe implant of smaller size than the jaw opening so that the encasedimplant when inserted in the jaw opening will be tightly held therein.

The adapters of this invention can be designed of a size and shape totightly encase wide blade dental implants of different configurations.As there are many possible sizes and shapes for the wide blade dentalimplants, there are likewise many possible sizes and shapes for theadapter. For the wide blade dental implant shown in FIG. 2 the adapter16 is of wedge shaped end configuration as shown by the left hand endview of the adapter 16 shown in FIG. 6. The adapter 16 is folded from ablank 17 of sheet material, for example of non-corrosive metal, to haveopposing side walls 18 and 19 diverging from a bottom fold line 20.Spaced tabs 21 which are integrally connected to the marginal edge ofthe side wall 19 opposite the fold line 20 are folded inwardly toprovide a top closure for the adapter. Apertures 22 are provided in theside walls 18 and 19 of the adapter so as to be in alignment with theapertures 15 of the implant 11 when the implant is encased within theadapter. The material from which the adapter is made will generally beof sufficient resiliency so that the side walls 18 and 19 may be spreadapart (after the adapter is formed into the shape shown in FIG. 6)sufficiently to admit the insertion of the wide blade implant 11. Afterthe implant is inserted in the adapter, the side walls 18 and 19 willspring back toward each other to closely engage opposite side walls ofthe implant blade portion 12 and the tabs 21 will overlie the uppershoulders 12a of the blade portion 12 on opposite sides of the neck 14.

Once the implant 11 has been encased in the adapter 16 in the mannerdescribed, the encased implant will then be forced into the opening inthe jaw bone until it is situated in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3.The thickness of the adapter side walls 18 and 19 in addition to thethickness of the implant blade portion 12 will normally be sufficient totightly fill an opening previously formed for the implant and in whichthe implant alone has worked loose.

FIG. 5 shows a modified adapter 16' having a configuration which wouldfit a wide blade implant having apertures extending into the blade ofthe implant from the bottom edge thereof. The adapter 16 will thereforehave apertures 22' in opposite side walls 18 and 19' which extendupwardly from the bottom edge 20' of the adapter 16.

Adapters can also be designed for circular or other types of dentalimplants that fall under the same category of being undersized for theopening afl'orded or available in the bone.

It is within the scope of this invention that top closures of differenttypes can be provided for the adapter. Instead of tabs 21 as shown inFIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6 an inturned flange may be provided on one or bothside walls of the adapter to provide closures for the top and ends ofthe adapter. FIG. illustrates the form of adapter having inturnedflanges 23 extending along the marginal edges of the side walls 18' and19'. The flanges 23 are provided with cut-out portions to form anopening 24 adapted to receive the implant neck 14. The flanges 23 cometogether along a line 25 which would overlie a median line through theshoulders of the blade portion of the implant.

It is within the scope of this invention that the adapters can be formedin various ways, and it is not intended to limit the invention to theformation of adapters from sheet material as shown in FIG. 4. Theadapters can be made from any metals or plastics that are non-corrosiveand acceptable to the body and are adaptable to the formation of aclosely fitting casing for a loose fitting wide blade implant. Theadapters may be molded casings or may be folded from sheet material aspreviously described.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 a modified dental implant 111 is shown which may beencased in the adapter 116 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

The dental implant 111 has a blade portion 112 and a head portion 113connected to the blade portion 112 by a narrow neck 114. The implant 111is distinguished from the dental implant 11 (shown in FIG. 2) by havingapertures or notches 115 formed in the top margin 112a of the bladeportion 112 and extending downwardly into the body of the blade portion,and by an aperture 1l2b extending into the blade 112 from the sharpenedbottom edge 112d along the vertical center line of the implant. Shoulderportions 112c extending outwardly from the neck 114 over the apertures115 are provided to block the ingress of the gum tissue into theapertures 115; however bone material can grow into the apertures fromthe sides of the implant. The apertures 115 and 112b are provided forthe purpose of allowing bone material to grow therein and to interlockwith the implant blade portion in order to stabilize the dental implantin the jaw. It is important to block the entrance of gum tissue into theapertures 115 in order to prevent irritation and possible infection ofthe gum.

In situations where the implant 111 becomes loose in the jaw, or isundersized for whatever reasons, an adapter 116 can be used to encasethe implant 111 to enlarge it.

The adapter 116 comprises substantially straight side walls 118 and 119which are bent inwardly along their bottom margins to form a bevelledconnecting edge 120 and overlapping tabs 121 and 122 extending inwardlyfrom the upper margins of the side walls 119 and 118 respectively. Twopair of oppositely aligned apertures 123 are provided in the side walls118 and 119 along their upper margins to correspond with the aperturesof the implant 111. A pair of oppositely aligned apertures 124 areprovided in the side walls 118 and 119 adjacent their connecting edge tocorrespond with the aperture 112b in the dental implant 111. The adapter116 is preferably formed from a blank of sheet material such asillustrated in FIG. 1 1, by folding the side walls upwardly about thebottom edge 120 until they are parallel, and folding in the tabs 122 and123 until they are approximately perpendicular to the respective sidewall to which they are integrally connected.

The implant 111 fits within the adapter 116 so that the apertures 123are aligned with corresponding apertures 115 of the implant and so thatthe apertures 124 are aligned with the aperture 11217 of the implant.Tabs 121 overlie tabs 122 and they each overlie shoulder portions of theimplant 111. The tabs bracketing the neck 114 prevent lateral movementof the implant within the adapter as well as vertical shifting of theimplant within the adapter. The adapter is made from materialsufliciently resilient to permit the side walls 118 and 119 to be spreadapart to allow insertion of the implant within the adapter.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination comprising a dental implant having a base portion forimplanting in an enlarged opening in the jaw bone and a head portionconnected to said base portion so that said head portion will projectoutwardly from the jaw bone when said base portion is implanted in saidopening, and adapter means for encasing the base portion of said dentalimplant so that the encased base portion will tightly fill said opening,said adapter means comprising a hollow casing having an interior cavityof substantially the same size and shape as said base portion, meanspermitting opening of said casing whereby said base portion may beremovably inserted into the interior cavity of said casing.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said base portion is ablade having openings therein to permit the growth of bone material ininterlocking relationship with said implant, and wherein said adapterhas corresponding openings therein which are aligned with the openingsin the blade when the blade is encased in said adapter.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said blade and saidcasing are wedge shaped.

4. An adapter for use with an undersized dental implant for adapting theundersized dental implant to fill an enlarged opening in a jaw bone,said implant having a base portion for implanting in the jaw bone and ahead portion connected to said base portion, said adapter comprising acasing for the base portion of said implant, said casing having aninterior cavity of substantially the same size and configuration as saidbase portion and of external dimensions sufficient to tightly fill saidenlarged opening.

5. The adapter set forth in claim 4 wherein said adapter is wedge shapedand comprises a pair of diverging side walls which are integrallyconnected at the apex of said wedge and means bridging said side wallsalong the edges of said side walls opposite said apex.

6. The adapter set forth in claim 5 wherein oppositely aligned aperturesare provided in said side walls.

7. The adapter set forth in claim 6 wherein said apertures extendupwardly from said apex.

8. The adapter set forth in claim 5 wherein said bridging meanscomprises a pair of spacedtabs extending inwardly from the marginal edgeof one side wall opposite said apex.

9. The adapter set forth in claim 5 wherein said bridging meanscomprises an intumed flange extending along at least the marginal edgeof at least one of said side walls opposite said apex, and said flangeis provided with an opening adapted to fit around a protruding neckportion of a dental implant.

10. The adapter set forth in claim 9 wherein each side wall is providedwith an intumed flange.

11. The adapter set forth in claim 4 wherein said casing includes a pairof opposite side walls which are integrally joined along one edge.

12. The adapter set forth in claim 11 wherein said casing is made ofmaterial sufficiently resilient to permit said side walls to be spreadapart for insertion of the base portion of the dental implant, withoutexceeding the elastic limit of said material so that the side walls willclosely engage the dental implant.

13; The adapter set forth in claim 11 wherein said adapter has aperturesextending through said casing walls at locations such that the aperturesof the casing will align with corresponding apertures in an apertureddental implant which the adapter is designed to encase.

14. The adapter set forth in claim 13 wherein said apertures extendinwardly from a marginal edge of said side walls opposite said one edgealong which the side walls are integrally joined toward said one edge.

15. The combination comprising a dental implant having a horizontallyelongated blade portion which is defined by a bottom marginal edge, atop marginal edge and a pair of end marginal edges connecting the bottommarginal edge with said top marginal edge, a head portion, a neckportion integrally joining said head portion to said blade portion alongsaid upper marginal edge, and openings within said blade portion topermit the growth of bone material in interlocking relationship withsaid implant and an adapter comprising a casing which has a hollowinterior of substantially the same size and configuration as said bladeportion to encase said blade portion and said casing has openingstherein which are aligned with the openings in the blade portion of saidimplant when the blade portion of the im' plant is encased in theadapter.

16. The combination set forth in claim 15 wherein said openings in saidimplant include at least one opening which interrupts said uppermarginal edge on one side of said neck and extends downwardly towardsaid bottom edge.

17. The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein the upper marginaledge of said blade portion includes a shoulder extending laterally fromsaid neck so as to partially close said one opening along said marginaledge.

18. The combination set forth in claim 15 wherein there is a secondopening similar to said one opening provided in said blade portion onthe opposite side of said neck from said one opening.

19. The combination set forth in claim 18 wherein said dental implant issymmetrically shaped about a vertical center line extending through saidneck porti 5 0. The combination set forth in claim 19 wherein there is anotch provided in said blade portion along said bottom edge and saidadapter includes a corresponding notch.

1. The combination comprising a dental implant having a base portion for implanting in an enlarged opening in the jaw bone anD a head portion connected to said base portion so that said head portion will project outwardly from the jaw bone when said base portion is implanted in said opening, and adapter means for encasing the base portion of said dental implant so that the encased base portion will tightly fill said opening, said adapter means comprising a hollow casing having an interior cavity of substantially the same size and shape as said base portion, means permitting opening of said casing whereby said base portion may be removably inserted into the interior cavity of said casing.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said base portion is a blade having openings therein to permit the growth of bone material in interlocking relationship with said implant, and wherein said adapter has corresponding openings therein which are aligned with the openings in the blade when the blade is encased in said adapter.
 3. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said blade and said casing are wedge shaped.
 4. An adapter for use with an undersized dental implant for adapting the undersized dental implant to fill an enlarged opening in a jaw bone, said implant having a base portion for implanting in the jaw bone and a head portion connected to said base portion, said adapter comprising a casing for the base portion of said implant, said casing having an interior cavity of substantially the same size and configuration as said base portion and of external dimensions sufficient to tightly fill said enlarged opening.
 5. The adapter set forth in claim 4 wherein said adapter is wedge shaped and comprises a pair of diverging side walls which are integrally connected at the apex of said wedge and means bridging said side walls along the edges of said side walls opposite said apex.
 6. The adapter set forth in claim 5 wherein oppositely aligned apertures are provided in said side walls.
 7. The adapter set forth in claim 6 wherein said apertures extend upwardly from said apex.
 8. The adapter set forth in claim 5 wherein said bridging means comprises a pair of spaced tabs extending inwardly from the marginal edge of one side wall opposite said apex.
 9. The adapter set forth in claim 5 wherein said bridging means comprises an inturned flange extending along at least the marginal edge of at least one of said side walls opposite said apex, and said flange is provided with an opening adapted to fit around a protruding neck portion of a dental implant.
 10. The adapter set forth in claim 9 wherein each side wall is provided with an inturned flange.
 11. The adapter set forth in claim 4 wherein said casing includes a pair of opposite side walls which are integrally joined along one edge.
 12. The adapter set forth in claim 11 wherein said casing is made of material sufficiently resilient to permit said side walls to be spread apart for insertion of the base portion of the dental implant, without exceeding the elastic limit of said material so that the side walls will closely engage the dental implant.
 13. The adapter set forth in claim 11 wherein said adapter has apertures extending through said casing walls at locations such that the apertures of the casing will align with corresponding apertures in an apertured dental implant which the adapter is designed to encase.
 14. The adapter set forth in claim 13 wherein said apertures extend inwardly from a marginal edge of said side walls opposite said one edge along which the side walls are integrally joined toward said one edge.
 15. The combination comprising a dental implant having a horizontally elongated blade portion which is defined by a bottom marginal edge, a top marginal edge and a pair of end marginal edges connecting the bottom marginal edge with said top marginal edge, a head portion, a neck portion integrally joining said head portion to said blade portion along said upper marginal edge, and openings within said blade portion to permit the growth of bone material in interlocking relationship with said implant and aN adapter comprising a casing which has a hollow interior of substantially the same size and configuration as said blade portion to encase said blade portion and said casing has openings therein which are aligned with the openings in the blade portion of said implant when the blade portion of the implant is encased in the adapter.
 16. The combination set forth in claim 15 wherein said openings in said implant include at least one opening which interrupts said upper marginal edge on one side of said neck and extends downwardly toward said bottom edge.
 17. The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein the upper marginal edge of said blade portion includes a shoulder extending laterally from said neck so as to partially close said one opening along said marginal edge.
 18. The combination set forth in claim 15 wherein there is a second opening similar to said one opening provided in said blade portion on the opposite side of said neck from said one opening.
 19. The combination set forth in claim 18 wherein said dental implant is symmetrically shaped about a vertical center line extending through said neck portion.
 20. The combination set forth in claim 19 wherein there is a notch provided in said blade portion along said bottom edge and said adapter includes a corresponding notch. 